20051031

Halloween 2005 PlaylistFrom Zevon's "Werewolves Of London" to Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" to Gorillaz' "Dracula" to Misfits' "Vampira" to "The Mummy" - grisly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom...there are some great themes represented in this Halloween mix. "Welcome To My Nightmare" ... "Am I Demon"? Listen for yourself. - TK, dressed as a Lion (mix by Eric Shea)

20051028

Blackalicious | The CraftFor its third LP, our local Bay Area super-duo serves up another impressive collection of advanced lyricism and thumping-yet-soulful beats. Gift of Gab's freewheeling vocal prowess continues to astound, while Chief Xcel's sonic superiority gets more defined with each release. Guests include George Clinton, Floetry and Lateef. - B.Winning

20051027

King Britt Presents Sister Gertrude MorganSister Gertrude Morgan (1900-1980) was a painter, singer, and self-proclaimed "bride of Christ" whose visually explosive folk art is celebrated worldwide. But her one album, made in New Orleans in the 1960s, is one of black gospel music's secret relics. Those recordings were unearthed and a limited number of copies were released to unanimous and widespread critical acclaim in 2003. the playahs at ropeadope has procured the master rights and enlisted internationally acclaimed DJ and Producer King Britt to create an entirely new work of art, putting musical tracks behind the Sister's previously unaccompanied vocals. In the studio for over 12 months working on this project, King hired a crew of stellar musicians to create the ultimate backing band and produce one of 2005's most promising releases. - TK

20051026

Sam Champion | Slow RewindYes, Sam Champion sounds a little like Pavement. Why do you have to say it so accusatory, like they just spit on a stranger? Just because Noah's voice has emotion built in, and sounds like Malkmus, and also because the guitars have spiral-like tones built in does not make it bad music! Get past the comparisons to legends and listen to some of the great songs on the record, including "Texas Song" (not 'Texas Never Whispers') and the title track, "Slow Rewind." My favorite is "You Can't See the Stars in This Town" - great harp, accordion & percussion and makes for a catchy little number, reverberating in the mind long after you've moved on with your day. If you're local, come support the band on their first SF appearance tonight (Wed, 10/26) at Bottom of the Hill. Seeya there! - TK

20051025

Breakestra | Hit the FloorWhile their debut album and legendary live shows predominantly paid homage to old school breaks n' beats gone by, Hit The Floor goes a step further as Breakestra create an album featuring all-original compositions and songs. From the call-out party vibe of the break-driven intro track "Stand Up" to the catchy blues-tinged "Hiding" and "Recognize", to the 60's vibe of the title track, Hit The Floor is a varied and accomplished sophomore album that will appeal to fans of the deep funk. ?uestlove himself says of this album, "The first time I heard their cuts, I didn’t know it wasn’t recorded in 1972!" Wade waist deep in this funk at your next throwdown. - TK

20051023

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (self-titled)You hipsters already knew about this band six months ago, but the band never signed to a label, so we couldn't Rhap-It up until their very recent direct-to-distributor deal, practically unheard of in the indie world. Everything about this record screams enthusiasm, from the cheery directive in the band name, to the colorful acrobats climbing all over the cover, to the giddy David Byrne-on-Lithium indie pop melodies. It's easy to see (and hear) how the buzz on this self-released disc quickly translated into critical acclaim and 15,000+ album sales. - Michele K-TelOne track recommendation: "Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood"

20051014

John Scofield | That's What I SayJohn Mayer, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Mavis Staples and Fathead Newman join the dazzling jazz guitarist to pay tribute to the musical institution that is Ray Charles. When Scofield and friends cover these songs, they never copy Ray's famous versions; instead they recognize him by offering up a master class in rhythm, groove and feel. One for the whole family. - ND

20051013

Danger Doom | The Mouse and The MaskThe ubiquitous DJ Danger Mouse joins forces with indie hip-hop legend MF DOOM for an innovative side project. On this collaborative LP, they take us on a woozy, bugged-out journey alongside Adult Swim cartoon characters and co-conspirators like Ghostface, Talib Kweli and Cee-Lo. I guess on some level it's sort of a commercial, but it works really well. The music is great, Doom has great flow, and anytime my boy Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force is rapping, that's worth a laugh. Definitely worth a listen when it's as cheap as clicking here. - BW/TKOne track recommendation: "Crosshairs."

20051011

Gov't Mule | Live: With A Little Help From Our Friends (Collector's Edition)The back catalog is coming! This week, three new digital releases by Gov't Mule just appeared on Rhapsody. These are old school, from Volcano/Capricorn, released between 1998-2001, including the Live: WALHFOF, a four CD live box set, taped at Atlanta's Roxy Theater on New Year's Eve in 1998. This is an incredible Live album with ridiculous guests, including Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, Bernie Worrell, Jimmy Herring, and the Black Crowes' Marc Ford (on the sickest "Cortez the Killer"). This also contains a previously unreleased studio outtake of Zappa's "Pygmy Twylyte." Sickest tone, Warren! Also now available for the first time digitally are the 2nd Mule LP, Dose, a superb studio record from 1998, as well as Life Before Insanity the 3rd studio recording, from 2000. - TK

20051009

Trey Anastasio | ShineThe godfather of modern jam has gone solo and is back, holding his guitar up high. The first single from Trey's forthcoming studio album of the same name is up on Rhapsody. It's a catchy little number, it's got the hook that may just stay in your head for days. That's the spirit, old chap! We've been waiting for you to deliver some catchy new tunes since your ego split up your old band. The full album comes out Nov. 1 on Columbia, marking his first studio recording for a company other than Elektra since Junta. Looking forward to hearing the whole thing when it's as easy as click 2 stream. Note the Rhapsody version of Shine has a version of "Invisible" (Live from St. Louis). - TK

20051008

The Magic NumbersThe Magic Numbers' debut has been ultra hyped back in the UK. You know how the machine keeps bringin 'em, articles in the right places, creating buzz which becomes hype, then the anticipated Capitol Records US release, and blastoff. However, the album is actually really good, and has been a blazing success. The Magic Numbers is marked by a bright array of harmonies and earthy orchestration, all delivered in nearly rapturous voices. Good story, a young guitar playing lad and his friend ask their sisters to join the band, make beautiful family-infused harmonies. Easy to file somewhere between the Mamas and Papas, the Polyphonic Spree and the Arcade Fire. - TK/Pru Two Track Suggestions: Love's a Game" and "Mornings Eleven."

TK'S All-Timer Albums

(album *must* have 5 or more
great songs to be considered)

My Morning JacketIt Still MovesMy Morning Jackettake the high lonesome howl of American music and run, not to the hills, but into outer space. Echoing with reverb, the group makes a heavy racket that sounds like Neil Young's finest days broadcast through a megaphone. Songs like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" exemplify this group's cosmic folk intentions.

Pinback | Summer in AbaddonBest enjoyed in the 54 minutes before sunrise, Summer in Abbadon has equal parts soft breath and raucous screaming, layered guitars and vocals that somehow equal something larger and gorgeous. This is a magical record, one of the best of 2004, and I believe Pinback's best effort to date. "AFK" will make you think twice, it's elusive and thoughtful. What a great record.

Ambulance LTD | LPIt's a flawless album, LP has the mark of a great album - no matter my mood, I can pop it in and listen to it straight through, start to finish. LP was my number one record of 2004. "Stay Where You Are" and give it a spin, also "Stay Tuned" for we hope there is more to come from Ambulance LTD.

Troubled HubblePenturbiaYou're only making this list if your album is stellar from start to finish. The 2003 release of Penturbia somehow eluded me until two years later, but I'll never forget it again. I love my canoe, and you too. It's one big world and one small me. When will I come to terms that the only constant thing in life is change? Every song, so good. Hear it.

The SlipFrom The GeckoSee where genre-defying innovators The Slip started it all. This is the very sophisticated debut album created by three teenagers from Providence, R.I. Gecko features classic instrumentals "Munf," "Yellow Medicine," "Cumulus," and "Spice Groove," as well as lyrical favorites "Alsoa" and "The Weight of Solomon."

Ben Folds FiveBen Folds FiveThe first Ben Folds Five album is a masterpiece. This is a top ten record of all time for me. BF5 features the classics "Underground," "Best Imitation of Myself," "My Philosophy" and "Alice Childress" - honestly, every song has it's own merits, I never get sick of this piano pop record.

PavementTerror TwilightThe final Pavement album is in my mind, their best. Before yoiu S&E purists bash me, go back and listen to the record. TT is a masterpiece, the songwriting is poetic and disturbing, but you'll never know until you dig deep. This is a lesson in how relationships end, some are pleasant and others are painful. If you are not grabbed by the pop beauty of "Speak, See Remember" or "Major Leagues" then dig deeper and read into "Bilie" or "Folk Jam" - just don't 'waste your precious breath explaining that you are worthwhile.'

Big Head Todd & the MonstersMidnight RadioThe second BHTM album was recorded on a two track in basements in the midwest and the raw, underproduced sound has helped it stand the test of time. Even after fifteen years of years of regular listens, this record continues to shine brightly like "city burning like a dream" or like the light from a tower in the distance, just "broadcasting it's resistance through the rain and through the night. Listen, and you will believe that "yes indeed, there is a paradise...and a band is playing there."